The tourism sector had a lot of potential in the province, said Director for Tourism Support and Development at the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs Kgotso Tau.

One of the learners at the Career Expo's baking challenge. Photo supplied

“The purpose of hosting this splendid tourism career expo is to encourage and motivate young people to take tourism as a career of choice, and to help broaden the skills base among the young people in the province.”

The high school learners weren’t the only ones being exposed to the different jobs in the sector but so are the Motheo TVET College students, CUT final year students, as well as postgraduate students. 

“This serves as a platform for tourism and hospitality learners in the Free State to learn more about career opportunities and engage with potential future employers who will be exhibiting at the event.“

Learners and teachers at the Career Expo's gala dinner. Photo supplied

In 2022, a teacher from the Vulamasango Secondary School in Bloemfontein, Julius Griffiths, said he was grateful the learners were granted the opportunity to learn what the tourism sector has to offer. 

A grade 11 learner from Sasolburg High School, Alicia Els, said one of the reasons why she entered the competition was also to inspire others to take a leap of faith because it might just work out. 

A grade 11 learner from Nkgopoleng Secondary School, Mollo Motsamai, said he did not enter the competition with a lot of expectations. For him, whether he wins or not, it would be a learning curve. He was, however, looking forward to seeing how his vanilla cake turned out.

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